BRIDGE Street remains a hotspot for crime in Guildford, according to the most recent police figures.

Officers were called to the area, home to the Wetherspoons and Bar Med venues, along with the Casino nightclub yards away in Onslow Street, a total of 55 times during August.

Bridge Street was closely followed by Chertsey Street, where 32 incidents were recorded, and Bedford Road and North Street, where 27 incidents took place.

The area was also home to the highest level of antisocial behaviour, with 24 recorded instances during the same period.

In total, there were 472 instances of crime in Guildford in August. This was down on the 605 recorded in the previous month.

Gerald Bland, acting chairman of the East Guildford Residents' Association, said he thought the level was high and could be put down to what he thought was a casual attitude to licensing venues in the town centre.

“It doesn’t come as any great surprise with licences handed out for late-night opening like confetti,” he said. “There is a focus on retail development in the town and there are fewer people living in the town to deter people from antisocial behaviour.”

People living close to G Live, in London Road, formed a campaign group in response to the new venue’s application to extend its opening hours to 3am.

The building fully opened to the public on September 22, after the latest crime figures were collated.

The Guildford Hotel opened a week later.

Neighbours in York Road and Dene Road believed G Live’s new licence would lead to an increase in crime and disturbance in the area. The application was approved subject to conditions, which include closing by 1.30am.

Outdoor events must finish by 11pm, and alcohol must not be drunk outdoors after this time.

The Guildford Hotel is able to serve alcohol to paying guests 24 hours a day.

“I certainly think there is going to be more choice in Guildford late at night,” Mr Bland added.

“If there is more choice then yes, there are bound to be more people around. If we had a more cafe-style society where people could sit out late at night, then it would be different.”

In Bridge Street there were also a dozen violent crimes during August. while Chertsey Street had eight, the second highest.

Two burglaries took place in Chertsey Street, which with Scholars Walk, were the only areas where a robbery took place.